Colorado Unit 3 Hunting Information

INFO: Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 3
Unit 3 holds a large number of mule deer and often hunters get a chance at one of the trophies that occupy the vast range of the area. The migratory patterns of mule deer in Colorado during the winter can be an advantage for hunting Unit 3. As winter ramps up, the deer will descend from the mountain tops of nearby units and into the lower altitudes of GMU 3. Hunters that can’t walk like they used to can often spot deer from the road before making a stalk. The Little Snake River provides a natural resource for deer to flock to especially during the early season. There are some remote areas with restricted travel like Pole Gulch and for the more adventurous getting away from the roads often leads to higher success rates with trophy quality bucks.

Archery and muzzleloader deer hunters can hunt Unit 3/301 and hunt group 4/5/14/214/441 (check current year regulations to ensure this is still accurate) with the same license. This allows you to hunt from east of Steamboat to west of Maybell. These unit groups offer up a huge variety of deer terrain from steep alpine mountains to rolling sagebrush to river bottoms.

Mule deer quality in this unit averages between 145”-165” with the potential for trophy classification measuring just shy of the 180” requirement. This unit remains a high-ranking destination for deer hunters. The number of preference points required to draw, coupled with a good supply of landowner tags, allows a group to hunt deer and elk hunt in Colorado almost every year.

SUCCESS RATES for Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 3
5 Year Estimated Average for Deer

Archery 44%
Muzzle Loader 40%
2nd Rifle 68%
3rd Rifle 79%
4th Rifle 81%
Mule Deer TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 3 Colorado
Average Quality 145″ – 165″
Trophy Potential 175″+
Buck to Doe Ratio 35:100
Colorado Unit 3 Mule Deer Hunting FORUM COMING SOON!

INFO: Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 3
Colorado Elk hunting is on the bucket list of hunters nationwide. Whether it’s the camaraderie of a group hunt or a solo hunt, you are undoubtedly stoked for this experience! To make it easier, Hunters Domain compiles studied data just for you to make this hunting trip a breeze to plan. The elk migratory patterns in Unit 3 are concentrated in the center part of the unit in close proximity to Little Snake SWA and Bald Mountain STL. Both of which have public access. Elk tags for the second and third rifle season are over the counter, as well as archery season and a month-long cow-elk limited season in December. The availability of OTC elk tags inherently make this unit the owner of heavy hunting pressure. Nevertheless, the easily accessed tags also give hunters greater odds at nabbing an elk. This is a great unit for those wanting to do a combo elk-mule deer trip with their buddies.

SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 3
5 Year Estimated Average for Elk
Archery 14%
Muzzle Loader 40%
1st Rifle 29%
2nd Rifle 12%
3rd Rifle 15%
4th Rifle 18%
Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 3 Colorado
Average Quality 260″ – 320″
Trophy Potential 320″+
Bull to Cow Ratio 20:100
Colorado Unit 3 Elk Hunting FORUM COMING SOON!

INFO: Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 3
Unit 3 antelope hunting is one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. Its vast area of grasslands makes the perfect landscape for antelope. It is advantageous for hunters due to its high visibility. Trophy class bucks are plentiful in this region with the average antelope measuring between 70” and 80”. Due to its high-performing antelope hunting, this unit has an annual tag drawing with very limited numbers being allocated. That being said, if you do not draw, you may purchase a tag through Hunters Domain and be well on your way to a trophy antelope hunt in Colorado Unit 3.

SUCCESS RATES for Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 3
5 Year Estimated Average for Antelope
Archery 65%
Muzzle Loader 89%
Rifle 85%
Antelope TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 3 Colorado
Average Quality 70″ – 80″
Trophy Potential 85″+
Buck to Doe Ratio 40:100
Colorado Unit 3 Antelope Hunting FORUM COMING SOON!